Porcelain Coral
Leptoseris gardineri
A low-light reef coral that spreads in broad, plate-like fronds across the substrate.
About
Porcelain coral (Leptoseris gardineri) is a plating coral from the Indo-Pacific that earns its name from its smooth, pale cream to orange-brown fronds, which can look almost ceramic under aquarium lighting. In the wild, colonies grow in wide, horizontal sheets that branch and subdivide as they expand, and mature stands in nature can spread to remarkable sizes across lower reef slopes where soft substrates and reduced light define the environment. The individual corallites are arranged in neat rows along the narrower sections of each frond, and on broader sections they may line up side by side across the plate. That orderly, geometric patterning is one of the easiest ways to identify this species. Because it naturally lives in deeper, lower-light zones, down to around 80 meters in some records, it is well suited to areas of the reef tank that don't receive intense illumination, and low, gentle flow seems to suit it best. For hobbyists looking to fill a shaded or lower section of the aquascape, this is a genuinely practical choice. Its modest care requirements make it accessible even for those relatively new to keeping stony corals, provided basic water quality is maintained.
Similar species
Other coral you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Porcelain Coral
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- What water parameters does the Porcelain Coral need?
- The Porcelain Coral does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 8–8.4.
- Is the Porcelain Coral reef safe?
- The Porcelain Coral is generally considered reef safe.